Chip resistant primer composition I

ABSTRACT

A hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer and solvent-based thermosetting coating composition comprising said copolymer and blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent. The coating composition may be formulated as hot sprayable, high solids coating composition suitable for use as chip resistant automotive vehicle primer suitable for use on body panel areas subject to chipping by stones, gravel and other road debris. Alternatively, the composition may be formulated as a high solids composition sprayable with conventional spraying equipment. The hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer is the product of polymerization of lactone members in the presence of hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor. The precursor resin is the reaction product of diepoxide chain extended with diphenol and chain terminated with acid component comprising primary hydroxy functional acid. The polymerization of the lactone monomers is carried out at a temperature between about 50° C. and about 300° C. and the polymerization reaction mixture comprises between about 10 and about 80 weight percent the hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor and between about 90 and about 20 weight percent lactone monomers.

Reference is made to concurrently filed and commonly assigned relatedU.S. applications Ser. No. 798,079 entitled "Chip Resistant PrimerComposition I'" and Ser. No. 798,085 entitled "Chip Resistant PrimerComposition I"", both to Kordomenos et al.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a novel hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer and to a novel, solvent-based, thermosetting coatingcomposition comprising same. It relates also to such coating compositionformulated, for example, as a hot sprayable, high solids coatingcomposition suitable for use as a chip resistant automotive vehicleprimer adapted for use on body panel areas subject to chipping bystones, gravel and other road debris.

BACKGROUND

Automobile manufacturers, in their efforts to extend the expected lifeof automobile sheet metal and the like, have directed considerableattention to various processes and compositions designed to result innot only improved corrosion resistance but also improved chip resistanceproperties. In particular, research and development efforts haverecently been directed to obtaining primer compositions which areflexible and chip resistant and which give corrosion protection whileexhibiting good humidity and solvent resistance, as well as goodintercoat adhesion. New automobile designs and concern about chipping inareas exposed to stones, gravel and other road debris, e.g. rockerpanels, have demanded such chip resistant primers which can be appliedin reasonable thicknesses by techniques which do not require extensiveand expensive processing modifications during painting operations. Todate available primers, whether high or low solids, have not provensuitable.

In order to overcome the aforementioned chipping problem it has beencommon to apply relatively thick chip resistant coatings in body panelregions, which are inclined to chip, prior to application of stillanother primer composition. One such chip resistant sealer materialwhich has been employed is a polyvinyl chloride plastisol sealer whichhas been applied with airless spraygun equipment in thicknesses of about20 mils in regions subject to high levels of chipping. Problemsattendant with such thick coatings are readily apparent. Because of thethickness in the region to which it is applied, these materials presentan appearance problem often resulting in waviness and roughness in thefinal coating on the sheet metal. Often times surface imperfections alsoresult from the fact that a primer is applied over the top of thissealer, with the primer and sealer being cured together. As a resultsome solvent and plasticizer tend to be driven out of the polyvinylchloride plastisol and result in a wavy and rough surface. Still furtherproblems associated with the use of such polyvinyl chloride plastisolsealers and the like involve application technique. Since the polyvinylchloride plastisol sealers and the like must be applied in thicknessesof 20 mils or greater in order to obtain good adhesion, they cannot befeathered down to blend in with other regions of the sheet metal whichdo not require the additional chip protection. Thus, the materials mustbe applied using a masking technique whereby those regions which are notto be coated with the sealer material are masked in a separate operationprior to application of sealer. This masking is then removed after thesealer is applied. It would obviously be desirable to eliminate theseadditional steps in the application of the chip resistant sealermaterial.

Accordingly, it is a preferred object of this invention to provide anovel solvent based, thermosetting coating composition adapted for useas a chip resistant primer, which primer may be applied in thicknessesof less than 20 mils and which may be feathered in such a manner as toblend with paint in other areas of the substrate to be painted which donot require chip resistant coating.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel resinssuitable for use in solvent-based thermosetting coating compositions. Inthis regard, it is a particular object of the invention to providenovel, hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer resins whichare crosslinkable during cure, on the surface of a substrate.

It is another object of the invention to provide novel coatingcompositions which comprise crosslinkable hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer and blocked polyisocyanate crosslinkingagent and which provide high crosslinking efficiency and tough, wellcured films at minimum bake temperatures such as when applied asautomotive primers. In this regard, it is a particular object of theinvention to provide a novel hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graftcopolymer resins/blocked polyisocyanate thermosetting coatingcomposition of sufficiently low Volatile Organic Content (VOC) to aid inmeeting governmental emissions guidelines and yet which can be appliedto a substrate by spraying or other known method.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a compositionwhich will form a coating on a substrate, which coating has advantageousphysical properties including, for example, humidity and solventresistance, flexibility and corrosion protection for the underlyingsubstrate.

Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, novel crosslinkable hydroxyfunctional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer resins are provided which aresuitable for use in thermosetting coating compositions, and which areespecially advantageous for use in high solids and chip resistant,organic solvent based theremosetting coating compositions. The hydroxyfunctional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer resins of the inventionpreferably have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 2,000 toabout 20,000 and are the product of polymerization of lactone monomersin the presence of hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursorpreferably having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of betweenabout 1,000 and about 4,000 and itself being the reaction product ofdiepoxide chain extended with diphenol and either subsequently orsimultaneously chain terminated with acid component comprising primaryhydroxy functional acid.

Also according to the present invention, a novel, organic solvent based,thermosetting resin/crosslinking agent composition, in addition tosolvent and any pigments and additives such as, for example, catalyst,flow control agents and the like, comprises the hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer resin of the invention and blockedpolyisocyanate crosslinking agent including, but not limited to, blockedtrifunctional isocyanurate ring containing polyisocyanates andoligoester modified blocked isocyanates.

Particularly preferred compositions of the invention are thoseformulated as high solids coating compositions having solids levels inthe range of 65-80% solids and which are applied as chip resistantprimers in those areas of automotive panels, such as rocker panels,which are exposed to high levels of chipping. Such compositions may beapplied in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 25 mils wet to obtain finalcoatings in the range of 1 to 12 mils dry, and may be feathered down toblend in with paint applied to regions outside that requiring additionalchip resistance protection. Generally, the compositions of this solidslevel may be applied using hot spray equipment at temperatures in therange of room temperature, i.e., 25° C. to about 160° F.

Other preferred compositions of the invention are those formulated ashigh solids coating compositions adapted to be applied by conventionalspraying onto a substrate. These high solids coating compositions mayhave a solids level in the range of 50-60% and are especially useful asa primer coating on the bare, unpolished metal surface of an automotivevehicle. As used herein, a high solids coating composition is one havinga volatile organic content of about 479 g/l (4.0 lb./gal.) or less.

Other features and advantages of this invention will become moreapparent from the following, detailed description thereof including thepreferred embodiments and best mode of carrying out this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, the invention relates to a novel hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer suitable for use in a thermosettingcoating composition and to a thermosetting coating compositioncomprising that hydroxy functional graft copolymer and a blockedpolyisocyanate crosslinking agent.

The novel, hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer preferablyhas a number average molecular weight (Mn) of between about 2,000 andabout 20,000 and is product of polymerization of lactone monomers in thepresence of hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor preferablyhaving a number average molecular weight (Mn) of between about 1,000 andabout 4,000. The hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor is thereaction product of diepoxide chain extended with diphenol and eithersubsequently or simultaneously chain terminated with acid componentcomprising primary hydroxy functional acid. The polymerization oflactone monomers with the precursor is generally carried out at atemperature between about 50° C. and about 300° C., preferably at atemperature of between about 130° C. and about 200° C., and thepolymerization reaction mixture comprises between about 10 and about 80weight percent hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor andbetween about 90 and about 20 weight percent lactone monomers.Preferably, the polymerization reaction mixture comprises between about35 and about 65 weight percent hydroxy functional epoxy resin precursorand between about 65 and 35 weight percent lactone monomers.

Thermosetting compositions of the invention comprise the above hydroxyfunctional graft copolymer and blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agentcomprising at least two isocyanate groups which have been blocked byreaction with an active hydrogen bearing blocking agent. The blockedpolyisocyanate crosslinking agent is included in the composition in anamount such that upon deblocking of the blocked isocyanate groupsthereof at the cure temperature of the composition, the crosslinkingagent provides between about 0.5 and about 1.6 reactive isocyanategroups per reactive group on the hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer.

Each of the above major components of the compositions as well as othercomponents and other aspects of the invention are described hereinafterin greater detail.

A. HYDROXY FUNCTIONAL EPOXY-POLYESTER GRAFT COPOLYMER

As described above, this copolymer is the product of polymerization oflactone monomer in the presence of an hydroxy functional epoxy esterresin precursor which itself is the reaction product of diepoxide chainextended with diphenol and either subsequently or simultaneously chainterminated with acid component comprising primary hydroxy functionalacid.

It is believed to be a significant characterizing aspect of the hydroxyfunctional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer of the invention that thepolymerized lactone portion of the epoxy-polyester graft copolymer givesthe polymer flexibility as well as toughness, two key properties whenchoosing a primer for use in areas susceptible to chipping. It is afurther characterizing aspect of the copolymer that it includes epoxyresin portions, i.e. hydroxyl terminated epoxy ester resin precursor isused as an initiator to form the graft copolymer, which give thecopolymer excellent corrosion resistance properties. Still further,because the graft copolymers of the invention are branched, they requirea minimum amount of crosslinking in order to obtain a suitable networkfor good coating integrity. Since crosslink bonds, e.g. isocyanate bondsas used in compositions of the invention, tend to be somewhat brittle,it is desirable to keep the number of such bonds to a minimum.

Preferred hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymers of theinvention include significant aromatic content which is believed toenhance corrosion resistance properties. Even though aromatics tend toincrease the brittleness of polymers and compositions including suchpolymers, it is possible to include them since, as mentioned above, thepolymerized lactone portion of the hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer gives the polymer increased flexibility which more thancompensates for any such brittleness. A particular preferred embodimentof the hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer resin of theinvention is prepared from aromatic containing diepoxide which isextended with diphenol. In addition, it is presently understood that thephenolic oxygens introduced into the epoxy-polyester graft copolymerresin by the chain extension reaction of epoxy with phenoladvantageously provide excellent adhesion to metal substrates, forexample steel.

Each of the reactants employed in the preparation of the epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer is described in greater detail below.

(i) Diepoxide Reactant

The diepoxide reactant suitable for preparing the epoxy ester resinprecursor can be any of numerous diepoxides, including diphenol chainextended diepoxides, many of which are commercially available and whichwill be apparent to the skilled of the art in view of the presentdisclosure. While, ultimately, the choice of the epoxy reactant forpreparing the epoxy ester resin precursor will depend to an extent uponthe particular application intended for the coating composition,terminal diepoxides, that is diepoxides bearing two terminal epoxidegroups, are generally most preferred. These are generally more reactiveand therefore require reaction conditions under which undesirable sidereactions, for example, epoxy-epoxy reactions and gelation, can be moreeasily avoided.

Diepoxy resins, not previously extended with diphenol, may be used inthe preparation of the epoxy ester resin precursor. Preferred diepoxyresins of this type include Epon 828 (trademark) and Epon 829(trademark) which are nonextended diepoxides of the Epon (trademark)Series, Shell Chemical Co., Houston, Tex. as well as cycloaliphaticdiepoxy resins suchas: the Eponex (trademark) series, Shell ChemicalCompany: hydantoin epoxy resins such as, for example, Resin XB2793(trademark, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y.); and any of a widevariety of acyclic or cyclic aliphatic diepoxides such as, for example,1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether and 4-vinylcyclohexene dioxide and thelike. Other suitable diepoxides are available and will be apparent tothe skilled of the art in view of the present disclosure.

Still further, diepoxides previously extended with diphenol may beemployed to form the precursors and numerous such extended diepoxidesare known and are commercially available. These include certain of thewell known bisphenol-A epichlorohydrin epoxy resins of theaforementioned Epon (trademark) series, e.g. Epon 1001 and Epon 1004 andthe DER (trademark) series, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., e.g.,DER 322. These diglycidly ether bisphenol-A resins or higher molecularweight analogs thereof, are preferred in view of their cost andcommercial availability. Any of the commercially available diphenolextended epoxies such as those discussed above may be further extended,if desired, by diphenol in order to give higher molecular weightmaterials having desirable properties.

Also, it will be understood from the foregoing that any mixture ofcompatible diepoxides may be used.

In addition to the diepoxide, a portion of the epoxy functionality canbe provided by any compatible monoepoxy compound or polyepoxy compoundor mixture of such compounds. The polyepoxide can be any of the wellknown types such as polyglycidyl ethers of polyphenols. These can beproduced by etherification of polyphenol and epihalohydrin in thepresence of alkali. It will be recognized by the skilled of the art inview of the present disclosure, that in some instances, particularlywhere a coating composition of high solids content is less important, itmay be desirable to incorporate polyepoxide of higher molecular weight.Preferably, any such polyepoxide contains free hydroxyl groups inaddition to epoxide groups.

While polyglycidyl ethers of polyphenol can be employed, it may bedesirable to react a portion of the reactive sites (hydroxyl or in someinstances epoxy) with a modifying material to vary the filmcharacteristics of the resin. The epoxy resin may be modified, forexample, with isocyanate group containing organic materials or otherreactive organic materials.

Other useful polyepoxides are the novolak resins including, for example,the novolak epoxy resins ECN 1235 (trademark) and ECN 1273 (trademark),Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, epoxidecompounds other than diepoxide compounds provide no more than about 15%and most preferably substantially none of the total epoxidefunctionality in the reactants used to form the epoxy-ester resin.

(ii) Diphenol Reactant

The diphenol reactants suitable for reaction with a diepoxide reactantin chain extension reaction, in those instances where initial or furtherextension with diphenol are required, include numerous commerciallyavailable materials, many of which will be readily apparent to theskilled of the art in view of the present disclosure. Preferreddiphenols have the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is a divalentlinking moiety substantially unreactive with the diepoxide resin.Preferably R is a divalent organic linking moiety, for example C═O,(CH₂)_(n) where n is preferably from about 1 to about 8, and the like,although inorganic moieties, for example sulfonyl and the like, are alsosuitable. Diphenols of this character have been found to provide goodreactivity with diepoxides described above and to provide, ultimately,cured coatings of the invention having excellent physical properties,most notably excellent corrosion protection. It will be apparent to theskilled of the art in view of the present disclosure that R should besubstantially unreactive with the acid component employed in preparationof the epoxy ester resin precursor. Particularly preferred diphenolsinclude those according to formula (I) above, wherein R is selected fromthe group comprising a straight or branched alkylene or alkylidenemoiety of one to about 10 carbons, preferably having three to fourcarbons and most preferably having the general formula ##STR2## whereinR' and R" are the same or different and each is a monovalent organicmoiety preferrably selected from the group comprising hydrogen and loweralkyl of about one to four carbons, most preferably one or two carbons,and the like or a mixture of any of them. Preferably the diphenol has anumber average molecular weight (Mn) between about 180 and about 500,more preferably between about 180 and about 250. Such diphenols include,for example bisphenol-A, which is most preferred, bisphenol-B,bisphenol-F and a compatible mixture of any of them. As used herein theterm diphenol may include, for example, compounds comprising a singledihydroxy substituted phenyl ring such as benzenediol. More preferred,however, are those diphenols providing two terminal, mono-hydroxysubstituted phenyl rings such as in formula (I), above. Other examplesof diphenols are bis(4-hydroxy-tert-butylphenyl)-2,2-propane,bis-(2-hydroxy-naphthyl)-methane and 1,5-dihydroxynapthalene. Othersuitable diphenols for forming the epoxy ester resin precursor of thepresent invention will be apparent to the skilled of the art in view ofthe present disclosure.

Preferably, the chain extended diepoxide to be chain terminated with theacid component has a number average molecular weight (M_(n)) betweenabout 1,200 and about 3,500, and more preferably between about 1,600 andabout 2,400.

(iii) Acid Component Reactant

The acid component comprises primary hydroxy functional acid. Numeroussuitable primary hydroxy functional acids will be apparent to theskilled of the art in view of the present disclosure, including manywhich are readily commercially available. These include C₃ -C₂₆ primaryhydroxy functional acids, wherein the acid contains one carboxyl groupand one or more hydroxyl groups (at least one of which is a primaryhydroxyl group) and no other functional groups which would substantiallyinterfere with the preparation of the hydroxy functional epoxy estercopolymer resin, i.e., no other functional groups which would reactsubstantially with the chain-extension reactants described above or withthe chain-extension reaction product. Preferred primary hydroxyfunctional acids correspond to the general chemical formula: ##STR3##wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are the same or different and each preferablyis lower alkylene such as methylene or ethylene, and Z and Z' areselected independently from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and any othernon-interfering functionality such as nitrile ester group, halogen,amide, etc. Suitable hydroxy acids which may be employed in the chainterminating reaction include, but are not limited to, dimethylolpropionic acid which is most preferred, bis(hydroxy ethyl) propionicacid, bis(hydroxy propyl) propionic acid, and a compatible mixture ofany of them. Preferably, the primary hydroxy acid contains two or morehydroxyl groups, e.g., at least one of Z and Z' contains a hydroxylgroup.

Optionally, the acid component may further comprise fatty acid. Suitablefatty acids include numerous commercially available fatty acids such as,for example, those derived from or contained in either animal orvegetable fat or oil. Preferred are fatty acids from about 8 to about 18carbons, since these are found to provide flexibility to the curedcoating. Also preferred among the fatty acids are the more saturatedfatty acids, since it appears that olefinic unsaturation in the fattyacid can undergo a polymerization-type reaction between such doublebonds during the synthesis of the epoxy ester resin of the invention.Unsaturated fatty acids are suitable for use, however, such as, forexample, oleic acid, linoleic, linolenic and the like and mixtures ofsuch acids, and can be used together with a suitable inhibitor for thepolymerization-type reaction such as hydroquinone or the like, of whichmany are commercially available and will be apparent to the skilled ofthe art in view of the present disclosure. In addition, aromatic fattyacids are commercially available and can be employed. Preferred for useare the substantially saturated fatty acids such as Soya fatty acidwhich is most preferred, and butyric, lauric, palmitic and stearic fattyacids and the like or a compatible mixture of any of them. These arerelatively inexpensive and have been found to provide good reactivitywith the preferred diepoxides described above. For convenience of use,the fatty acids which are semisolid or liquid at room temperature aregenerally preferred over the solid fatty acids.

The hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor used to initiatelactone polymerization in the preparation of the epoxy-polyester graftcopolymer of the invention can be made according to techniques wellknown to the skilled of the art. The chain extension, where necessary,and chain termination reactions may be carried out sequentially, withthe chain extension of the diepoxide being carried out first. Accordingto the sequential techniques, diepoxide and diphenol are charged into asuitable reactor and heated. The reactants are used in relativeproportions to yield a chain extension reaction product bearing twounreacted epoxy groups and preferably substantially no unreacted phenolfunctionality. Suitable separation techniques are known to the skilledof the art for removal of unused reactants. It should be recognized thatto assure rapid and/or more complete reaction of the diepoxide with thephenol functionality, it is usually preferred to have a catalystpresent. The use of catalyst has been found to provide advantageousepoxy ester resin of the invention and is preferred. Epon 829(trademark), mentioned above, as sold, provides a proprietary catalyst.Epon 828 (trademark), is substantially the same but does not providesuch catalyst. Suitable catalysts are commercially available and includeany of the well known catalysts for epoxy-phenol reactions such as, forexample, sodium carbonate, lithium neodecanoate and other organometallic catalysts and teritary amines, such as benzyl dimethylamine,which is preferred. Still other preferred catalysts includeformylmethylene triphenylphorane, formylmethyltriphenylphosphoniumchloride, methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide, ethyltriphenylphosphoniumacetate. Other suitable catalysts will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the present disclosure.

The reaction mixture is heated to at least about 135° C. (280° F.). Whenin the presence of catalyst, exothermic reaction will proceed with orwithout further heating. Typically, the reaction mixture will then reachabout 170° C.-190° C. (340° F.-370° F.), depending upon the batch sizeand reactor vessel insulation, etc. In the absence of catalyst, suchexotherm is typically not observed and continued heating is required.The progress of the reaction can be followed by measuring weight perepoxide (WPE).

After completion of the chain extension reaction of diepoxide with thediphenol, the diepoxide reaction product is reacted with the acidcomponent in chain terminating reaction in approximately 1 to 1equivalent ratio. This ratio is preferred since excess epoxy couldresult in gelation of the reaction mixture, while excess acid componentremaining in the reaction mixture could compete with the epoxy esterresin precursor for lactone monomers during formation of theepoxy-polyester graft copolymer. For this reason, if excess acidcomponent is used during formation of the precursor, it shouldpreferably be removed prior to reaction of the precursor with thelactone monomers.

Alternatively the hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor may bemade by a batch technique, whereby the reactants are combined andreacted in a single batch. Due to the relative reactivity of thefunctional groups, the chain extension, where necessary, and the chaintermination reactions will both take place. If the reactions are carriedout simultaneously, the reactants are used in amounts suitable to yieldthe desired reaction ratio in view of the relative reactivity of thephenol and the acid component, and in view of the desired molecularweight for the reaction product. It appears that present inventioncompositions comprising graft copolymers made by the simultaneousreaction technique have lower viscosity and are thus more easilysprayable than similar compositions having the same solids level andcomprising such graft copolymers made by the sequential reactiontechnique.

(iv) Lactone Monomers

The lactone reactant may be any lactone, or combination of lactones,having at least six carbon atoms, for example, from six to eight carbonatoms, in the ring and at least one hydrogen substituent on the carbonatom which is attached to the oxy group in said ring. In one aspect, thelactone used as a reactant can be represented by the general formula:##STR4## in which n is at least four, for example, from four to six, atleast n+2R's are hydrogen, and the remaining R's are substituentsselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,alkoxy and single ring aromatic hydrocarbon radicals. Lactones havinggreater numbers of substituents other than hydrogen on the ring, andlactones having five or less carbon atoms in the ring, are consideredunsuitable for the purposes of the invention because of the tendencythat polymers thereof have to revert to the monomer, particularly atelevated temperature.

The lactones preferred in this invention are the epsilon-caprolactoneshaving the general formula: ##STR5## wherein at least six of the R's arehydrogen and the remainder are hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy orsingle ring aromatic hydrocarbon radicals, none of the substituentscontain more than about twelve carbon atoms, and the total number ofcarbon atoms in the substituents on a lactone ring does not exceed abouttwelve. Unsubstituted epsilon-caprolactone, in which all the R's arehydrogen, is derived from 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid and is most preferred.Substituted epsilon-caprolactones, and mixtures thereof, are availableby reacting a corresponding substituted cyclohexanone with an oxidizingagent such as peracetic acid.

Among the substituted epsilon-caprolactones considered most suitable forthe purposes of the invention are the various monoalkylepsilon-caprolactones such as the monomethyl-, monoethyl-, monopropyl-,monoisopropyl-, etc. to monododecyl epsilon-caprolactones; dialkylepsilon-caprolactones in which the two alkyl groups are substituted onthe same or different carbon atoms, but not both on the epsilon carbonatom; trialkyl epsilon-caprolactones in which two or three carbon atomsin the lactone ring are substituted, so long as the epsilon carbon atomis not distributed; alkoxy epsilon-caprolactones such as methoxy andethoxy epsilon-caprolactones; and cycloalkyl, aryl, and aralkylepsilon-caprolactones such as cyclohexyl, phenyl and benzylepsilon-caprolactones.

Lactones having more than six carbon atoms in the ring, e.g.,zeta-enatholactone and eta-caprylolactone may also be polymerized inaccordance with the invention.

Polymerization of the lactones in accordance with this invention iscarried out in conventional manner in that the polymerization isinitiated by reaction with a compound having at least one reactivehydrogen capable, with or without the aid of a catalyst, of opening thelactone ring and adding it as an open chain without forming water ofcondensation--in this case the initiator compound being the hydroxyfunctional epoxy ester precursor described above.

The polymerization reaction mixture comprises between about 10 and about80 weight percent of the above described hydroxy functional epoxy esterresin precursor and between about 10 and about 20 weight percent of thelactone monomers. Preferably, the polymerization reaction mixturecomprises between about 35 and about 65 weight percent of the hydroxyfunctional epoxy ester resin precursor and between about 65 and about 35weight percent of the lactone monomers.

To initiate and continue the polymerization of the lactone, the lactoneand the initiator (i.e., the precursor) are preferably heated to atemperature between about 130° and 200° C. in order to achieve apractical and desirable rate of reaction with a minimum ofdecomposition. The temperature may be considerably lower however, i.e.,as low as about 50° C. at the sacrifice of speed of reaction. It mayalso be considerably higher, i.e., up to about 300° C., although caremust be taken at such higher temperatures because of the more likelylosses, at temperatures above 250° C., due to decomposition orundesirable side reactions. Generally, therefore, a temperature range of50° to 300° C. is considered operable and a more limited range betweenabout 130° and 200° C. is considered preferable.

The polymerization may be, and preferably is, carried out with the useof a catalyst, such as a basic or neutral ester interchange catalyst, toaccelerate the reaction. Among catalysts suitable for this purpose aresuch metals as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium,calcium, barium, strontium, zinc, aluminum, titanium, cobalt, germanium,tin, lead, antimony, arsenic and cerium, as well as the alkoxidesthereof. Additional suitable catalysts are, by way of example, thecarbonates of alkali- and alkaline earth metals, zinc borate, leadborate, zinc oxide, lead silicate, lead arsenate, litharge, leadcarbonate, antimony trioxide, germanium dioxide, cerium trioxide,cobaltous acetate and aluminum isopropoxide. Catalyst concentrationsbetween about 0.001 and 0.5%, based on the weight of the startinglactones, are suitable. The preferred range is from 0.01 to 0.2%.

The hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft polymerization productsobtained in accordance with the invention have molecular weightsgenerally upwards of about 2,000 and preferably within the range ofabout 4,000 to about 20,000, although molecular weights below andsubstantially above this range are obtainable if desired. Also, whilenot wishing to be bound by theory, it presently is understood that thechemical structure of the hydroxy functional epoxy polyester graftcopolymer is as follows. They have reactive terminal hydroxyl orcarboxyl groups, the number of reactive terminal groups depending uponthe functionality of the initiator. Further, it presently is understoodthat they are characterized by the presence of series of interconnected,substantially linear units or groups composed of carbon, hydrogen andoxygen. The interconnected units are opened lactone residues each havinga terminal oxy group at one end, a carbonyl group at the other end, anintermediate chain of at least five carbon atoms and at least onehydrogen substituent on the carbon atom in the intermediate chain thatis attached to the terminal oxy group. The oxy group of one lactoneresidue is connected to the carbonyl group of an adjacent lactoneresidue in the series and the oxy group of the last lactone residue in aseries is connected to a hydrogen to form a terminal hydroxyl group atone end of the series.

B. CROSSLINKING AGENT

The crosslinking agent employed in the novel solvent based coatingcompositions of the invention comprises blocked polyisocyanate. Thenovel solvent based coating compositions of the invention, as a resultof employing blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agents, exhibitexceptional shelf stability even when corrosion inhibiting pigments suchas zinc chromate are used in high concentrations.

As used herein "blocked polyisocyanate" means an isocyanate compoundcontaining two or more isocyanato groups, all of which have been reactedwith a material which will prevent reaction of the isocyanate group atroom temperature with compounds that conventionally react with suchgroups, and at least some of which will permit that reaction to occur athigher (cure) temperatures. In general the blocked polyisocyanate may beprepared by reacting a sufficient quantity of an active hydrogencontaining blocking agent with the polyisocyanate to insure that no freeisocyanate groups are present. The blocking agent may be presented bythe formula BH and may be selected from numerous materials, hereinafterdiscussed, which bear an active hydrogen.

The blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent is included incompositions of the invention in amounts such that upon deblocking ofthe blocked isocyanate groups at the cure temperature of thecomposition, the crosslinking agent provides between 0.5 and 1.6,preferably between about 0.8 and about 1.3, reactive isocyanate groupsper reactive group on the film forming graft copolymer of the coatingcomposition as described above. Blocked polyisocyanates of numeroustypes may be employed in the compositions of the invention. Particularlysuitable blocked polyisocyanates, which will be discussed furtherhereinafter, include blocked polymethylene polyphenol isocyanates,isocyanurate ring containing blocked polyisocyanates and certainoligoester modified blocked polyisocyanates.

In the preparation of the blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent, anysuitable organic polyisocyanate may be used. Representative examples arethe aliphatic compounds such as trimethylene, tetramethylene,pentamethylene, hexamethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene,2,3-butylene, 1,3-butylene, ethylidine and butylidene diisocyanates; thecycloalkylene compounds such as 1,3-cyclopentane, 1,4-cyclohexane,1,2-cyclohexane diisocyanates; the aromatic compounds such asm-phenylene, p-phenylene, 4,4'-diphenyl, 1,5-naphthalene, and1,4-naphthalene diisocyanates, the aliphatic-aromatic compounds such as4,4'-diphenylene methane, 2,4- or 2,6-tolylene, or mixtures thereof,4,4'-toluidine, and 1,4-xylylene diisocyanates; substituted aromaticcompounds such as dianisidine diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenyletherdiisocyanate and chlorodiphenylene diisocyanate; the triisocyanates suchas triphenyl methane-4,4'4"-triisocyanate, 1,3,5-triisocyanate benzeneand 2,4,6-triisocyanate toluene; the tetraisocyanates such as4,4'-diphenyl-dimethyl methane-2,2',5,5'-tetraisocyanate; and thepolymerized polyisocyanates such as tolylene diisocyanate dimers andtrimers, and the like.

In addition, the organic polyisocyanate may be a prepolymer derived froma polyol including polyether polyol or polyester polyol, includingpolyethers which are reacted with excess polyisocyanates to formisocyanate-terminated prepolymers. The polyols may be simple polyolssuch as glycols, e.g., ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, as well asother polyols such as glycerol; trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, andthe like, as well as mono-ethers such as diethylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol and the like and polyethers, i.e., alkylene oxide condensates ofthe above. Among the alkylene oxides that may be condensed with thesepolyols to form polyethers are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butyleneoxide, styrene oxide and the like. These are generally calledhydroxyl-terminated polyethers and can be linear or branched. Examplesof polyethers include polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol,polyoxytetramethylene glycol, polyoxyhexamethylene glycol,polyoxynonamethylene glycol, polyoxydecamethylene glycol,polyoxydodecamethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. Other types ofpolyoxyalkylene glycol ethers can be used. Especially useful polyetherpolyols are those derived from reacting polyols such as ethylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, 1,6-hexanediol, and their mixtures; glycerol, trimethylolethane,trimethylolpropane, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol,dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, polypentaerythritol, sorbitol,methyl glucosides, sucrose and the like with alkylene oxides such asethylene oxide, propylene oxide, their mixtures, and the like.

A particular class of aromatic polyisocyanates which may be employed inthe novel solvent based coating compositions of the invention arepolymethylene polyphenol isocyanates having the formula: ##STR6##wherein n equals 1 to 3. Such compounds, sold under the tradename "PAPI"by the UpJohn Chemical Company of Kalamazoo, Mich., have proven to beparticularly useful in compositions of the invention, resulting incompositions exhibiting desirable toughness in the final cured coating.

The active hydrogen containing blocking agents which are reacted withthe above described organic diisocyanates may be selected from numerousblocking agents which will be apparent to those skilled in this art.Representative of those blocking agents which are preferred are thoseselected from the group consisting of (i) aliphatic, cycloaliphatic andaromatic alkyl monoalcohols; (ii) hydroxyl amines; (iii) oximes; (iv)lactams; and (v) triazoles. Any suitable aliphatic, cycloaliphatic oraromatic alkyl monoalcohol may be used as a blocking agent in accordancewith the present invention. For example, aliphatic alcohols, such asmethyl, ethyl, chloroethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,nonyl, 3,3,5-trimethylhexyl, decyl, and lauryl alcohols, and the likemay be employed. Suitable cycloaliphatic alcohols include, for example,cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol and the like, while aromatic-alkyl alcoholsinclude phenylcarbinol, methylphenylcarbinol, and the like. Minoramounts of even higher molecular weight relatively non-volatilemonoalcohols may be used, if desired, to serve as plasticizers in thecoatings provided by the invention. Examples of hydroxyl amines whichmay be employed as blocking agents include ethanol amine and propanolamine. Suitable oxime blocking agents include, for example,methylethylketone oxime, acetone oxime and cyclohexanone oxime. Examplesof lactams which may be used as blocking agents are epsilon-caprolactam,epsilon-butyrolactam and pyrrolidone, while suitable triazoles includecompounds such as 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-benzotriazole, 1,2,3-tolyltriazole and 4,5-diphenyl-1,2,3-triazole. Particularly preferred activehydrogen containing blocking agents are methylethyl ketoxime and2-ethylhexanol.

(i) Isocyanurate Ring Containing Blocked Isocyanate Compounds

Within the scope of the above general class of blocked polyisocyanatecrosslinking agents, a particular class type of blocked polyisocyanatecrosslinking agent which may be employed in the novel solvent basedcoating compositions of the invention comprises isoycanurate ringcontaining blocked isocyanate compounds. In general, these blockedpolyisocyanates may be formed by blocking with the aforementioned blockagent isocyanurate ring containing polyisocyanates. These compounds maybe formed by cyclotrimerization of difunctional isocyanates. Usually,the reaction does not stop in this stage and continues through theformation of polyfunctional oligomers or a mixture of such oligomerswith a portion of the pure trifunctional polyisocyanate. Mixtures oftrifunctional product and various polyfunctional oligomers arecommercially available.

A particularly desirable blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent isthe blocked form of the pure trifunctional isocyanurate represented bythe following formula: ##STR7## wherein R is selected from the groupconsisting of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic groups andcombinations thereof and B is the residue of an active hydrogencontaining blocking agent. More specifically, this compound is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,663, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

(ii) Oligoester Modified Blocked Polyisocyanates

Still further particular blocked polyisocyanates useful as crosslinkingagents in the novel solvent based coating compositions of this inventionare oligoester modified block polyisocyanates prepared from a particularclass of oligoester diols and triols. A first type of such oligoestermodified blocked polyisocyanates is prepared from organic diisocyanatesbearing one isocyanate group more reactive than the other, with the morereactive isocyanate first being blocked with a blocking agent and theremaining isocyanate group then being reacted with hydroxylfunctionality of an oligoester diol or triol as referred to above. Thesecond type of oligoester modified blocked polyisocyanate may beprepared by reacting oligoester diols from the aforementioned class ofoligoesters with an excess of organic diisocyanate so as to form anisocyanate terminated prepolymer followed by blocking of the terminalisocyanate groups of the prepolymer with an active hydrogen containingblocking agent. Each of these materials is particularly useful in thecompositions of the invention and produces final cured coatingcompositions exhibiting outstanding flexibility.

Oligoesters of the type employed in the preparation of thesecrosslinking agents are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,508 issued Mar.30, 1982, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.The hydroxy functional oligoesters within the useful class of materials(i) have a number average molecular weight (M_(n)) between about 150 andabout 3000, preferably between about 230 and about 1000, (ii) bear 2 or3 hydroxyl groups per molecule, and (iii) are formed by anesterification reaction between a carboxylic acid and an epoxide. Theesterification reaction products are selected from the group consistingof:

(a) the esterification reaction product of polycarboxylic acid, i.e.,carboxylic acid bearing 2 or more carboxyl groups, and monoepoxide;

(b) the esterification reaction product of polyepoxide, i.e., a compoundhaving 2 or more epoxide groups, and monocarboxylic acid, preferablycontaining no ethylenic unsaturation, and bearing no hydroxyfunctionality;

(c) the esterification reaction product of hydroxy functional carboxylicacid and mono- or polyepoxide, preferably monoepoxide;

(d) the esterification reaction product of monocarboxylic acid andhydroxy functional mono- or polyepoxide, preferably monoepoxide; and

(e) mixtures of (a)-(d).

As noted above, the first type of oligoester modified blockedpolyisocyanate crosslinking agent is prepared by (i) reacting organicdiisocyanate bearing one isocyanate group which is more reactive thanthe other with a sufficient amount of an active hydrogen containingblocking agent to react substantially with all of the more reactiveisocyanate groups, thus providing a half-blocked diisocyanate and (ii)reacting this half-blocked intermediate with the above discussedoligoester. The organic diisocyanates employed in this synthesis, aswell as the active hydrogen containing blocking agents, are discussedabove in connection with the preparation of the isocyanurate ringcontaining blocked isocyanate crosslinking agents useful in compositionsof the invention. The organic polyisocyanate-blocking agent adductintermediate is formed by reacting a sufficient quantity of the blockingagent with the organic diisocyanate to insure that one of the two --NCOgroups on the diisocyanate is reacted. The reaction between the organicdiisocyanate and the blocking agent is exothermic; therefore, thediisocyanate and the blocking agent are preferably admixed attemperatures no higher than about 80° C., preferably below about 50° C.,to minimize the exothermic effect.

This intermediate is next reacted with the oligoester diol or trioldescribed above so as to react substantially all free or unblockedisocyanate groups of the diisocyanate/blocking agent intermediate withhydroxyl groups of the oligoester. This reaction is carried outdesirably at a temperature of about 80°-120° C.

As also discussed above, the second type of oligoester modified blockedpolyisocyanate crosslinking agent useful in the novel solvent basedcoating compositions of the invention is prepared by reacting an excessof organic diisocyanate with an oligoester diol from the above describedclass of oligoesters followed by reaction of the terminal isocyanategroups formed on the resultant prepolymer with an active hydrogencontaining blocking agent as described above so as to react withsubstantially all the isocyanate groups. The diisocyanate startingmaterial is used in excess in amounts sufficient to insure that theintermediate is isocyanate terminated. Therefore, it is preferable thatthe organic diisocyanates and the dihydroxy functional oligoester bereacted in a molar ratio of from greater than 1:1 up to 2:1. Numerousdiisocyanates of the type described hereinbefore may be employed in thepreparation of this intermediate. While it is not necessary that oneisocyanate group be more reactive than the other, the preparation ofthis type of crosslinking agent does not preclude the use of suchmaterial.

C. GENERAL DISCUSSION--OTHER ASPECTS OF INVENTION AND OTHER COMPONENTS

The coating compositions of the invention have been found to provide acured coating having the advantageous physical properties describedabove, over a wide range of cure temperatures and a wide range of solidslevels. More specifically, the coating compositions according topreferred embodiments of the invention have been found to cure attemperatures from as low as about 120° C. or less within about 15minutes or less, and yet to cure and suffer no significant loss ofadvantageous physical properties at temperatures as high as about 200°C. or more for periods up to about 60 minutes or more. Consideredtogether with the storage stability of the coating composition, it canbe readily recognized that the present invention provides a highlysignificant advance in the coating composition art.

It will be within the skill of the art to determine the proper volatileorganic content for a given coating composition of the invention and fora given application. Preferred solvents have relatively low volatilityat temperatures appreciably below their boiling points such that solventevaporation is low during storage and/or application of the coatingcomposition to the substrate. A suitable solvent system may include, forexample, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, isobutyl acetate, xylene,cellosolve acetate, acetone and a mixture of any of them. Other solventswhich may be employed include terpenes, aliphatic and aromatic naphthas,and the like. Additional suitable solvents are commercially availableand will be apparent to the skilled of the art in view of the presentdisclosure.

Any solvent allowed to remain in the cured coating should be inert so asto avoid adverse effect upon the cured coating or upon another coatinglayer used in conjunction with during the curing process or thereafter.Preferably, the cured coating is substantially free of solvent.

Sufficient solvent is used to reduce the viscosity of the coatingcomposition to a level suitable for application to the substrate in thedesired manner.

Obviously, in those cases where the composition is to be applied as achip resistant primer the amount of solvent will be reduced so as togive a solids level of about 65-80%. Such higher solids materials aregenerally applied using hot spray equipment.

Flow control agent(s), for example, polybutyl acrylate; wettingagent(s), for example, silicone; pigments; pigment dispersants;corrosion inhibitors, for example, chromate pigments, numerous of all ofwhich are known to the skilled of the art, may be employed in thecoating compositions of the invention. In addition, suitable reactiveadditives can be used, including, for example, low molecular weight diolflow control agents and reactive diluents.

Compositions of the invention, and in particular the chip resistantprimers of the invention, may also include anti-settling or anti-saggingagents to control the thixotropic properties of the composition.Examplary of available materials suitable for this purpose are Dislon(trademark) 6900-20X manufactured by Kusumoto Chemicals, Ltd., Tokyo,Japan and sold by King Industries, Norwalk, CT 06852; Bentone(trademark) 38, N.L. Industries, Highstown, N.J. 08520; and Cab-O-Sil(trademark) M-5, Cabot Corporation, Boston, Mass.

Curing the coating composition requires baking for sufficient time atsufficiently elevated temperature to react the crosslinking agent withthe hydroxyl functionality of the hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer. The time and temperature required to cure the coatingare interrelated and depend upon the particular hydroxy functionalityepoxy-polyester graft copolymer resin, crosslinking agent, solvent andother materials, if any, and the amount of each comprising the coatingcomposition. The coating compositions according to preferred embodimentsof the invention, as described above, have been found to provide thebest coating results when cured at temperature at about 150° C. (300°F.) for 20 minutes. It is a highly significant advantage of theinvention, however, that these same coating compositions can withstand,for example, temperature as high as about 200° C. (390° F.) for periodsof time as long as about 60 minutes. Accordingly, great flexibility isprovided in both designing and implementing a curing schedule for partscoated with the coating compositions of the invention. Thus, in theassembly of automotive vehicles, for example, vehicles unavoidably heldin a curing oven for long periods of time during unplanned assembly lineshut-downs are recovered with cured and unharmed coatings.

High solids coating compositions according to the present invention,comprising the novel crosslinkable hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer resins of the invention, especially the preferred resinsdescribed above and blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent,especially the preferred materials described above, have been found toafford cured coatings with improved corrosion resistance and chipresistance, thus representing a highly advantageous advance in the art.

A most preferred use of the coating composition of the invention is as ahigh solids hot sprayable chip resistant primer for use on a bare metalsubstrate such as for an automotive vehicle body which is subject tochipping. Primer compositions typically are pigmented and any pigmentscommonly included in primer compositions for metal substrates andacrylic dispersion topcoats such as, for example, carbon black, ironoxide, lithopone, magnesium, silicate, silica, barium sulfate, TiO₂,chrome yellow, calcium chromate, strontium chromate, zinc potassiumchromate any the like may be used. The primer can be pigmented accordingto known methods including, for example, by grinding pigments in aportion of the curable resin and adding to the primer composition.

The pigment-to-binder ratio of the chip resistant primer may be fromabout 0.5:1 to about 2:1 by weight, respectively; it is preferred,however, to use a primer having a pigment-to-binder ratio of from about1:1 to about 1.5:1 by weight, respectively.

In preferred embodiments of this invention pigments and thixotropicagents desirably are dispersed with epoxy ester resins which do not havean elastomeric component as does the hydroxy functional epoxy-polyestergraft copolymer employed as the primary film forming resin of thecompositions of this invention. It has been found that, in addition tobeing very effective dispersing agents for the preparation of pigmentmillbases and thioxtropic dispersions, non-elastomeric epoxies give thecompositions toughness. One type of epoxy useful for this purposecomprises the reaction product of diepoxide, dimer acid and a mixture ofSoya fatty acid and propionic acid (See Example 5). Other epoxy esterresins useful for this purpose are those disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 448,886 filed June 14, 1982 (abandoned), 431,465filed Sept. 30, 1982 (abandoned) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,641 all,assigned to the assignee of this application. These resins comprise thesimultaneous reaction product of diepoxide with (i) diphenol,dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of them in chain extension reaction and(ii) fatty acid in chain terminating esterification reaction. Stillother suitable epoxy resins useful for dispersing pigment andthixotropic agents will be apparent to the skilled of the art in view ofthe present disclosure.

No special expedients are necessary in formulating the primercompositions of this invention. For example, they may be prepared simplyby incorporating the resinous components in a suitable solvent system.Thus, for example, by suitable mixing or agitation, each resinouscomponent may be dissolved in a solvent and the resulting solutionscombined to form finished primer compositions.

The solvent system may be any suitable combination of organic solventsas described above. For a high solids, hot sprayable, automotive vehiclechip resistant primer, the solvent will comprise preferably about 20 toabout 40 percent by weight of the total coating compositions, althoughof course, larger or smaller amounts may be utilized depending upon thesolids content desired.

The primer is generally maintained at about 65 to about 80 percentsolids content for hot spraying purposes with conventional thinners suchas aromatic hydrocarbons, commercial petroleum cuts which areessentially aromatic, and the like, and sprayed onto the metal base orother substrate and cured. The primer may be applied in greaterthickness of 1 to 25 mils wet, preferably 10 to 25 mils wet, in order toobtain final coatings in the desired range of 5-11 mils dry in regionshighly susceptible to chipping and is then feathered down in thicknessto the thickness of paints in areas not receiving a chip resistantprimer. The primer is cured at elevated temperatures by any convenientmeans such as baking ovens or banks of infra-red heat lamps. Curingtemperatures are preferably from about 135° C. to about 165° C.,although curing temperatures from about 100° C. to about 230° C. may beemployed, if desired.

The invention will be further understood by referring to the followingdetailed examples. It should be understood that these specific examplesare presented by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.Unless otherwise specified, all references to "parts" are intended tomean parts by weight.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Hydroxy Functional Epoxy-Polyester GraftCopolymer

In a suitable reactor were charged 267 parts Epon 829 (trademark, ShellChemical Co., diepoxide), 105 parts bisphenol A, 64 parts2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, and 2 parts lithium neodecanoate.The temperature of this mixture was brought up slowly to 170°-180° C.;after one hour the acid number was found to be 5. 810 parts ofepsilon-caprolactone, 138 parts M-pyrol, and 0.5 grams of monobutyl tinanhydride were added to the mixture. The temperature was raised to 130°C., at which point a mild exothermic reaction took place that raised thetemperature to about 175° C. The progress of the reaction was followedby viscosity and % non-volative solids measurement; after two hours theviscosity was Q-R and 97.0% conversion (20 parts mixture and 10 partsM-pyrol yielding a 60.0% solids solution). 174 parts of M-pyrol wasadded; and the mixture was allowed to cool. The resulting product had aZ₇ viscosity at 80.0% solids.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Hydroxy Functional Epoxy-Polyester GraftCopolymer

In a suitable reactor were charged 534 parts Epon 829 (trademark, ShellChemical Co., diepoxide), 210 grams bisphenol-A, 80 parts2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, 103 parts Soya fatty acid, and 3parts lithium neodecanoate. The temperature of the mixture was slowlyraised to 160°-170° C.; an exothermic reaction took place that raisedthe temperature to 180°-190° C. After one hour, the acid number wasdetermined to be 5. 1620 parts epsilon-caprolactone, 236 parts M-pyrol,and 1 part of monobutyl tin oxide were added and the temperature wasraised to 130° C. at which point a mild exotherm raised the temperatureto 175° C. After two hours, the heat was removed and 350 parts ofM-pyrol was added; the mixture was allowed to cool. The resultingproduct had Z₇ viscosity at 80.0% solids.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Hydroxy Functional Epoxy-Polyester GraftCopolymer

In a suitable reactor were charged 390 parts Epon 829 (trademark, ShellChemical Co., diepoxide), 116 parts bisphenol-A, 134 parts2,2-bis(hydroxylmethyl)propionic acid, and 1 part lithium neodecanoate.The temperature of the mixture was slowly raised to 160° C., at whichpoint an exothermic reaction accurred which raised the temperature to180°-190° C. After one hour, the acid number was found to be less than5. 1185 parts epsilon-caprolactone, 200 parts M-pyrol, and 2 partsdibutyl tin oxide were added to the mixture and the temperature wasraised to 130° C., at which point a mild exotherm took place that raisedthe temperature to about 175° C. The mixture was maintained at 175° C.for two hours; the % solids of the mixture were determined (88.0%). Theheat was removed; 250 parts M-pyrol was added, and the mixture wasallowed to cool. The resulting product had Z₇ viscosity at 80.0% solids.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Hydroxy-Functional Epoxy-Polyester GraftCopolymer

In a suitable reactor were charged 582 parts Eponex (trademark, ShellChemical Co., diepoxide), 204 parts bisphenol-A and 0.5 parts of sodiumcarbonate. The mixture was heated up to 160° C. at which point anexothermic reaction raised the temperature to 190° C. The mixture waskept above 160° C. for one hour. The epoxy equivalent weight wasmeasured to be 1050. At this point 119 parts of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid and 0.5 parts of sodium carbonate were added. The mixturewas kept at 160° C. for one hour and then 740 parts of M-pyrol wereadded. The mixture at this point had a viscosity of Z₂ at 57.7% solidsand acid number of 4.3. 603 parts of epsilon-caprolactone and one partof dibutyltin oxide were added and the temperature was kept at 150° C.for three hours. The product was thinned to 58% solids with M-pyrol andhad a viscosity of V⁺ and acid number of 13.4.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Epoxy-Ester Dispersing Resin

Into a suitable reactor were charged 1280 parts Epon 829 (trademark,Shell Chemical Co., diepoxide), 954 parts Empol 1016 (trademark, EmeryIndustries, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, dimer acid), 364 parts Soya fattyacid, 268 parts 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, and 13 partslithium neodeconoate. The temperature of the mixture was brought up toabout 180° C., at which point an exothermic reaction took place thatraised the temperature to about 200° C. After one hour, the acid numberwas found to be less than 2. 940 parts Solvesso 100 and 305 partsSolvesso 150 were added, and the mixture was cooled. The resin has aviscosity of Z₇ at 70.0% solids.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Blocked Polyisocyanate Crosslinking Agent

Into a suitable reactor were charged 870 parts methylethyl ketoxime and180 parts Solvesso 100. 1330 parts of PAPI 27 (trademark, UpJohnChemical Co., aromatic polyisocyanate) was added dropwise to the mixtureover two hours; the reaction temperature rose from room temperature to80°-95° C. 39 parts 2-ethylhexanol was added to the mixture and thetemperature of the mixture is maintained at 85°-95° C. for one hour. Atthat point, 816 parts of M-pyrol was added and the mixture was cooled.The resulting resin is dark brown and had a viscosity of 6000 cps at67.0% solids.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Blocked Polyisocyanate Crosslinking Agent

Into a suitable reactor were charged 537 parts methylethyl ketoxime. 784parts PAPI 94 (trademark, UpJohn Chemical Co., aromatic polyisocyanate)was added dropwise over two hours; the reaction temperature rises fromroom temperature to 85°-95° C. The mixture was maintained at 85°-95° C.for one hour. At that point, 300 parts methylamyl ketown and 150 partsM-pyrol were added and the mixture was cooled. The resulting resin wasdark brown and was 75% solids.

EXAMPLES 8-11 Preparation of Blocked Polyisocyanate Crosslinking Agent

Blocked isocyanate crosslinkers according to the invention were preparedin the manner of Example 6. The components employed are shown in thetable below.

    ______________________________________                                                      Example                                                                       8    9        10     11                                         Composition     Parts                                                         ______________________________________                                        L-2991 A*       360    360      360                                           Desmodur IL*                         525                                      amyl methyl ketoxime                                                                          174                   87                                      benzotriazole          238                                                    epsilon-caprolactam             228                                           N--methyl pyrolidone                                                                          133    150      195  461                                      % solids         80    80.1     75.1  57                                      Viscosity       Z.sub.1                                                                              Z.sub.6  Z.sub.2                                                                            Z                                        ______________________________________                                         *Trademarks of Mobay Chemical Co.; L2291 A is a biurette of hexamethylene     diisocyanate; Desmodur IL is a polyisocyanurate of tolylene diisocyanate.

EXAMPLE 12 Millbase Preparation

In a one gallon can or ballmill were charged the following materials andone quart of diagonal shot. The mixture was placed on a roller mill for16-24 hours to reach a 7+ hegman dispersion. At that point, the letdownwas added, and the mixture was run an additional hour on the rollermill.

    ______________________________________                                                           Parts                                                      ______________________________________                                                   Hi-Sol #3*    585                                                             2-Ethyl Hexanol                                                                             95                                                              Polyethylene Wax                                                                            70                                                              Anti-Terra-U**                                                                              40                                                              Resin of Example 5                                                                          103                                                             Barytes       2259                                                            TiO.sub.2     429                                                             Carbon Black  29                                                              Strontium Chromate                                                                          143                                                  Letdown:   Resin of Example 5                                                                          247                                                  ______________________________________                                         *Trademark of Ashland Chemical Co., Columbus, Ohio; HiSol #3 is an            aromatic solvent.                                                             **Trademark of Byk Mallinckrodt, Wallingford, CT 06492; AntiTerra-U is an     antisettling and wetting agent.                                          

EXAMPLE 13 Bentone Gel Preparation

To a clean Ball Mill, charge the following:

    ______________________________________                                                              Parts                                                   ______________________________________                                        Solvesso 150            513                                                   Propylene Carbonate     13                                                    Bentone 38              30                                                    Grind 30 minutes, then add:                                                   Resin of Example 5      384                                                   Grind aproximately 2 Hrs. to 8 Hegman                                         Letdown with:                                                                 Solvesso 150            60                                                                            1000                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Coating compositions of the invention were formulated as shown below:

    ______________________________________                                                       Example                                                                       14   15     16      17   18                                    Composition      Parts                                                        ______________________________________                                        Resin of Example 1                                                                             2241                                                         Resin of Example 2      2241   2241                                           Resin of Example 3                   2241                                     Resin of Example 4                        3091                                Millbase of Example 12                                                                         5788   5788   5788  5788 5788                                Bentone Gel of Example 13                                                                      2315   2315   2315  2315 2315                                Crosslinker of Example 6                                                                        984    984          984  984                                Crosslinker of Example 7       1050                                           Dislon*           114    114    120   120                                     Cab-O-Sil**       142    142               160                                ______________________________________                                         *Trademark of Kusumoto Chemicals, Ltd.; Dislon is an antisagging agent.       **Trademark of Cabor Corp., Boston, Mass.; CabO-Sil is a fumed silica         (antisettling agent).                                                    

The coating compositions were prepared by sequential mixing in a 5gallon working capacity EMCO Proto-Lab SW Mill (trademark), Epworth Mfg.Co., South Haven, Mich., set at 900 rpm. Resin and Dislon (trademark)were first mixed for approximately 10 minutes and then millbase, Bentonegel and crosslinker were added sequentially while mixing. FinallyCab-O-Sil (trademark) was added and the composition mixed until a grindof 6+ on the Hegman scale was obtained.

The above compositions were sprayed at 140°-160° C. using hot-sprayequipment commercially available from Nordson Corp. Unpolished Bonderitesteel panels were sprayed and baked at 135° C. for 20 minutes. Thethickness of the coating tested varied from 5 mils to 12 mils. Thepanels were top-coated with white enamel and tested for chip resistanceusing 10 pts. of gravel in the gravelometer test. All the abovecompositions exhibited excellent chip resistance. In addition, panelswere tested for corrosion resistance (500 hrs. salt spray test, scribedpanels) and humidity resistance with excellent results.

Additional coating compositions formulated according to the inventionare shown below.

    ______________________________________                                                        Example                                                                       19   20       21     22                                       Composition       Parts                                                       ______________________________________                                        Resin of Example 1                                                                              2241   2241     2241 2241                                   Millbase of Example 12                                                                          5788   5788     5788 5788                                   Gel of Example 13 2315   2315     2315 2315                                   Crosslinker of Example 8                                                                         922                                                        Crosslinker of Example 9  922                                                 Crosslinker of Example 10          984                                        Crosslinker of Example 11              1294                                   Dislon*            100    100      100  100                                   ______________________________________                                         *Trademark of Kusumoto Chemicals, Ltd.; Dislon is an antisagging agent.  

In view of this disclosure, many modifications of this invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all suchapparent modifications fall within the true scope of this invention andbe included within the terms of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

It will be apparent from the foregoing that this invention hasindustrial applicability as a coating composition, especially as a hotsprayable, high solids coating composition suitable for use as a chipresistant automotive vehicle primer adapted for use on body panel areassubject to chipping by stones, gravel and other road debris.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graftcopolymer suitable for use in a thermosetting composition, whichcopolymer has a number average molecular weight (M_(n)) of between about2,000 and about 20,000, said copolymer being the product ofpolymerization of lactone monomers in the presence of hydroxy functionalepoxy ester resin precursor having a number average molecular weight(M_(n)) between about 1,000 and about 4,000, said precursor being thereaction product of (1) a chain extended product of diepoxide withdiphenol and (2) acid component in chain termination reaction, with acidcomponent comprising primary hydroxy functional acid and reacted inabout a 1 to 1 equivalent ratio to the chain extended product, whereinsaid polymerization of said lactone monomers is carried out at atemperature between about 50° C. and about 300° C. and thepolymerization reaction mixture comprises between about 10 and about 80weight percent said hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor andbetween about 90 and about 20 weight percent said lactone monomers.
 2. Ahydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said hydroxy functional epoxy ester resin precursor isthe reaction product of said acid component comprising primary hydroxyfunctional acid with diepoxide previously chain extended with diphenol.3. A hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said hydroxy functional epoxy ester resinprecursor is the reaction product of said diepoxide reactedsubstantially simultaneously with said diphenol and said acid componentcomprising primary hydroxy functional acid.
 4. A hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordance with claim 1, wherein saiddiepoxide is selected from the group consisting of bisphenol-Aepichlorohydrin epoxy resin, hydantoin epoxy resin, cyclic and acylicaliphatic diepoxides and mixtures thereof.
 5. A hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordance with claim 1, wherein saiddiphenols are selected from the group consisting of bisphenol-A,bisphenol-B, bisphenol-F and mixtures thereof.
 6. A hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidprimary hydroxy functional acid is selected from C₃ -C₂₆ acids bearing asingle carboxyl group, at least one primary hydroxyl group, and noadditional functionality which would react substantially with the chainextension reactants or reaction product.
 7. A hydroxy functionalepoxy-polyester graft copolymer in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidlactone monomers are selected from those represented by the generalformula: ##STR8## in which n is at least 4, at least n+2 R's arehydrogen, and the remaining R's are substituents selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy and single ring aromatichydrocarbon radicals.
 8. A hydroxy functional epoxy-polyester graftcopolymer in accordance with claim 7, wherein said monomers compriseunsubstituted epsilon-caprolactone monomers.